Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) V. Narayanasamy on Sunday dismissed speculations that key allies of the UPA Government would support the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in its call for a countrywide shutdown as a mark of protest against the decision to approve Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the retail sector.

Narayanasamy said that allies like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) were not with the BJP on its shutdown stand.

"The BJP called a Bharat Bandh, some of the political parties joined hands with them. As far as the Trinamool Congress and the DMK are concerned, they have not announced anything, because as far as our government is concerned, we talk to our allies," said Narayanasamy.

"As far as the FDI in retail sector, and as far as the diesel prices, it is compulsion for the Government of India," he added.

Backing the government's decision, Narayanasamy said that foreign trade would get a major boost.

"It's the right step, in the right direction for the economic direction for the country for the reason that a lot of investment from various countries will come here. Apart from that our farmers will be directly benefited by it because today the middlemen are taking away the money that is due to the farmers, the products, which are being produced by the farmers. Actually the middlemen are taking a lot of profit out of it when it comes to the market," said Narayanasamy.

"Also, the businessmen are enjoying the advantage, the farmers are not getting even their livelihood because of the profit is taken by the traders and also the middlemen. When the retail trade comes in our country, foreign investment will come, employment generation will take place," he added.

In an endeavor to take the Congress-led UPA Government to task over the decision to approve FDI in multi-brand retail and the recent hike in diesel prices, the NDA has decided to hold a countrywide protest on September 20.

Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP), the Left Parties and some others have also announced an agitation on the same day.

The Centre's decision to approve FDI in retail and hike the diesel price has not gone well with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi.

Banerjee has also threatened to withdraw her ministers from the Centre over the introduction of FDI in multi-brand retail and hike in diesel prices. (ANI)